Charleston Lake Kayaking

Kayaking past some large rock cuts

We spent a week at Charleston Lake in August 2010 for our holidays. The park has a nice northern Canadian Shield feel to it. Lot's of rocky islands and beautiful scenery. We bought maps for the lake including a specific fishing map for Dave. With so many islands, it's easy to get misplaced. Our first kayak day trip we paddled across Charleston Lake to the Blue Mountain trail head, where I pulled up on shore to hike this trail. I don't remember how long the hike took me, but I know that while I was up there the wind picked up a little and we were paddling through white caps on the way back across the two channels. What a work out! Once back to the launch, we kept going and found a nice rocky shoreline where we had our lunch and a swim. The fish were biting as well, so we stayed put for awhile. The next day we launched from the canoe launch and paddled around Whitefish Island in Runnings Bay. We paddled from Runnings Bay into Slim Bay as well.  From Slim Bay, I noticed a small channel into Mud Bay. Ever the explorer, I paddled through shallows and over a log into the bay only to find a huge population of Yellow Jackets flying all over the lily pads. Unbelievable how many yellow jackets everywhere. I quickly paddled back out into Slim Bay. There's a cool bridge we paddled under which is part of the Tallow Bay Trail. Some of my best kayaking memories I know will be of this trip. It was so very much fun. The afternoon always brought with it a wind that eventually blew us off the lake, but we had so much fun kayaking the times we were out on the water. The clarity of the water and beauty of the scenery make this park so worthy of a visit. Lot's of beautiful remote campsites too if that's how you roll. See my link on the side for the Ontario Parks site. Now enjoy some photos:

On shore for some lunch & swimming

Leaving the boat launch

Buckhorn Campsite

Dave trolling - Runnings Bay

Runnings Bay

Dave's Fishing Gear

Slim Bay

Bridge On Tallow Trail

Guelph Lake

We spent a day kayaking at Guelph Lake Conservation Area in September of 2010. We were actually camped at Rockwood CA, a short distance from this lake. Guelph Lake was created when a dam was built on the Speed River in 1974. It's a decent size lake for exploring from a kayak and a nice bonus is the supposedly good fishing opportunities. It was a cool September morning when we launched at the park. We spent time exploring the shoreline where we were shocked at the difference in water level between Spring and September. The high water lines on shore were amazing. Check out some photos:

Guelph Lake Launch

Where the old road ends.

Guelph Lake beach in the distance

Dave, fearless kayak fisherman

Spring flood level.

We brought our lunch with us and enjoy it along the beautiful shoreline. The weather didn't improve unfortunately and by the time we packed up and headed back to the launch, we had some wave action. The shape of my hull doesn't allow waves to come in the cockpit easily, but Dave's boat is a little different and he ended up pretty wet. Come to think of it, so did I but that was because I suffered from a rather challenged entry when we launched after shore lunch and almost flipped my kayak over. Duh!! It was good for a laugh, what else can I say. Here are a couple pics of our paddle back to the launch.

A little rough

Dave kayaking

Guelph Lake was a nice place to kayak and we didn't even finish exploring it's entire 1,608 hectares. I'm sure we'll come back here again. Incidentally, Dave the fearless kayak fisherman did not catch any fish here despite the glowing reports. You can find the link to Grand River Conservation on my links above.

Port Burwell

Last Spring we camped at Port Burwell and took our kayaks. It was a warm day on the water. We launched just outside the park and headed up Big Otter Creek for a few kilometers. The scenery was pretty and the paddle perfect. Dave was getting frustrated though at how shallow the water was, so we eventually turned around so he could fish in Lake Erie from his kayak. I continued west from the break wall on Lake Erie and paddled along the shoreline of Port Burwell Provincial Park. I pulled up on the beautiful sandy beach and swam for awhile before heading back out on the lake. I would love so much to kayak the Big Otter River as far upriver as possible in the future. As well, on a calm day, I would like to head East from Port Burwell along Lake Erie's shoreline. Here are some photos of our kayaking.

Big Otter Creek

Big Otter Creek

Fishing Boats - Big Otter Creek

Lake Erie

Kayaking on Lake Erie

My Clearwater Manitoulin Kayak

Time To Kayak?

Well, I must admit, lately I've been getting the urge to haul my kayak out of my garage and go paddling! We've had a couple nice days the past week, but unfortunately I've been working on every one of them. Ice is out here and I'm anxious to get out on the water. The big lakes will be cold, correction all water will be cold, but I'm thinking I should visit some place small and local. Perhaps Richardson's Creek or Twenty Mile Creek?
Next week isn't looking too promising for my only two days off and come to think of it, neither is the following week. What a change from last year! April 1st we were camping and it was warm. We broke temperature records! Patience is a virtue so they say, but this kayaker is very anxious. Spring will be here eventually. I'll keep you posted on when I finally make it out on the water.
Happy Kayaking!

My Progression of Gear

Just wanted to make a post regarding the progression of gear I've owned during the last few years kayaking. In the previous post I talked about how I found this hobby that I love, kayaking. The first year into kayaking, I really didn't carry a camera. I was too paranoid to have any device that was not waterproof and none of my gear was. After one season and a fair bit of time out, I investigated dry bags and water proof plastic containers for storage. I bought a smaller drybag to carry my camera gear and cell phone in. Eventually, I bought a waterproof camera, an Olympus Stylus 6000. Later,  I bought more dry bags and a used Pulaski Spirit kayak which gave me more room in the cockpit to carry things. I started to learn how useful caribiners were for securing things to my bungees on my kayak. I also started taking my movie camera (not waterproof) on the water. Brave for sure! I traded my Pulaski for a brand new ClearWater Designs Manitoulin kayak last year. This one has a rudder instead of the skeg design of the Pulaski. I've really come to appreciate steering with my feet while holding a movie camera or trying to stay still in current to get a good picture. I also appreciate having dry wells which my other kayak didn't have. I've mounted my Magellan Triton 400 on the desk and installed a couple paddle holders on the side. I'm still making changes to accommodate my gear outside the cockpit so I can use my skirt. It's an ongoing process I suppose and I'm always thinking of ways to keep everything close no matter what the circumstances. As we kayaked more over the years, we ventured further and for longer periods of time. We took a wonderful day trip to Massassauga Provincial Park in 2009 using our dry bags to carry our supplies and meals for the day. I upgraded my lifejacket as well to a more comfortable one.
The photo at the top shows my kayak on our Massassauga trip. I carried my map in a ziploc bag, my gps, camera drybags, second drybag for spare clothing and a third for our food. I have a little light mounted as well because occasionally we've been out after sunset. Gear really is important to me and I continue to make changes.

In The Beginning

Twenty Mile Creek @Bailey's Bridge 

I wasn't always a kayaker, but I always have loved anything to do with the outdoors so I guess it was a natural progression. I will always remember the first time I tried kayaking. We rented a little blue Canadian Tire special at Rockwood Conservation Area on a camping trip. It was love at the first dip of the paddle - well maybe the second. The more time I spent on the lake, the more certain I was that I wanted to do it the rest of my life. Shortly after that trip, we bought a couple of those Canadian Tire specials. It wasn't long before the urge to upgrade my kayak overtook me and I bought a newer one. I still have that Wilderness Systems Pungo 100. I call it my river runner. It's just over 10 feet and is perfect for those meandering rivers and small areas. One of my favorite areas to take my Pungo is close to home. I'm talking about Twenty Mile Creek and Jordan Harbour. The scenery is great and there is even wildlife to be seen. Carp spawn in the spring along the marshes, evil, yes evil swans nest, otters can be seen swimming and many red-winged black birds call the marshes home.

My Wilderness Systems

Destination Lake Simcoe

My Kayak and I

View From My Kayak - Saturday Morning Sunrise

Sibbald Point Provincial Park provided an ideal launch site for some kayaking in the southern portion of Lake Simcoe. It was our first time kayaking on this lake. The weather wasn't the warmest and it seemed like the sky would clear then cloud over and open again to soak us. Fortunately it was warm enough that it was nice to be damp. The first part of my trip I headed East along the shoreline to explore for a few kms then turned around and headed back West. Our second time out we headed west to Black River where we decided to head upriver to explore a little. The clouds in the distance started to look menacing so we turned around. We made it back to the put in just as the menacing clouds opened up and drenched us. We made it off the water in time, but didn't quite get the kayaks loaded on the truck. We drove back to camp to change into some warm clothes and wait for the rain to stop. I would love to do more kayaking in Lake Simcoe in the future. Despite the weather, there really wasn't any wind to speak of, so it was still a pleasant paddle. Here are some photos:

Sibbald Point Provincial Park

Not Everything Was Grey!

My Kayak Fishing Buddy - Dave

Darlington Provincial Park

McLaughlin Bay Reflections
In June 2010 we headed to Darlington Provincial Park on the shores of Lake Ontario to camp. We brought our kayaks and spent a day kayaking in the area. We kayaked across McLaughlin Bay to reach a narrow sand spit and Lake Ontario. From there we headed West towards Oshawa Harbour. We crossed the harbour and paddled beside some really cool bluffs around Lakeview Park. After awhile the wind picked up so we started back towards the sand spit. I couldn't believe how cold the water temperature still was in Lake Ontario. Once we put back into McLaughlin Bay the water was as warm as tea. Big difference. I wish we had taken time to paddle around the bay, but the day was wearing on by then. Another visit perhaps? 

Oshawa Harbour

Kayaking East of Darlington

Bluffs near Lakeview Park, Oshawa

 Sunday morning we decided to head East of the park, yes towards the Darlington generating station. We didn't think we could get too close knowing that there would be some security, but we did manage to get quite close. The picture left is heading back towards the Darlington Provincial Park after we'd turned around and headed back. Along the way we encountered more bluffs with much bird activity. It was a calm beautiful day on the water. 

Bluffs Along Lake Ontario

Kayaking at Earl Rowe

Most of the time if we're not kayaking close to home in Niagara, we combine our love of camping and hiking with kayaking and try to visit a park with some sort of place to kayak. It was early May of 2010 when we camped at Earl Rowe Provincial Park. We brought our kayaks of course. The weather was not the best, but we still got out on the water. We kayaked above the dam in the park and as far up the Boyne River as we could before we finally hit some deadfall that we couldn't paddle around. This was my first time out with my new Manitoulin kayak.
We won't go back to Earl Rowe again likely as we explored everything there was to explore on the water within less than a day. The highlight of our time on the water was the sighting of a Great Horned Owl on an Island that we paddled around. I should add too, that this was the first time out using my new Magellan GPS. It's become a cool addition to my trips as I can now calculate distance, speed and leave a breadcrumb trail of course. Here are a few pictures of our time at Earl Rowe:

 This is a picture of the reservoir at Earl Rowe above the dam. It looked like the weather was going to clear, but no such luck. The blue sky disappeared soon after this picture was taken.The second picture shows my new GPS mount for my Magellan Triton 400. The yellow drybag holds my camera gear secure and watertight until I'm on the water. I carry a waterproof Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 and a non waterproof Sony camcorder when I'm on the water. If it's too rough, I keep the camcorder in the dry bag and just use my camera. The last shot is my kayak heading towards Boyne River where it enters Earl Rowe.

Publish Post

A Kayakers Blog

I began this blog as a helpful tool for anyone kayaking or even canoeing for that matter. I love the sound of my kayak gliding across the water interrupted only by my paddles dipping in the water. I love my kayak for the sound it doesn't make - no loud motor noise. I'm relatively new to kayaking. I kayaked for the first time in 2007 at a Grand River Conservation Area using one of their blue rentals. I loved it and I haven't stopped since. Of course winter seems so long when you're waiting to get back on to the water, but wait I will.
Today Dave and I took a drive to Port Maitland to check out the Grand River. It's high and moving under the thin layer of ice. It seems so long ago when back in September, I kayaked that section of the river in the warm autumn sun. Last year, my beautiful new kayak suffered some significant damage to the rudder assembly, so this Spring I'm taking it back to the manufacturer (Clearwater Designs) to have it fixed properly. Not sure when my kayaking season will begin, likely after ice out around early April. Usually in the Spring, I like to take my shorter Wilderness Systems kayak out for some river kayaking. Well, that's all for now. I'll update the blog with some more posts or pages of past journeys soon.